1. Policy Principles
1.1 The Palestinian Museum-Non-Governmental Association’s exhibitions and programmes are held for the benefit of all, present and future, and are free of charge.
1.2 The Museum is committed to providing a meaningful, enjoyable, and safe volunteering experience across its departments and within its terms and conditions. In return, the Museum expects commitment and enthusiasm from its volunteers.
1.3 The Museum defines volunteers as those who are committed to performing duties as described in their volunteer contract and per the volunteer/training programme prepared for them per the provisions of this policy so that they may receive remuneration for time spent volunteering as elucidated upon below.
1.4 Volunteering does not place any obligation financial or otherwise. The Palestinian Museum may, from time to time, grant volunteers incentive rewards as determined in this regard and without legal obligation on its behalf.
- Means of remuneration are as follows:
a. University students receive community work hours in exchange for volunteering. Each volunteer hour at the Museum is equivalent to two community work hours.
b. Part-time volunteers (local university graduates only):
Part-time volunteering is defined as volunteering for 4 hours per work day, 3 work days per week, either not for compensation or for compensation as determined by the Museum at its sole discretion and without legal obligation on its behalf. If the volunteer is present on a Friday or a Saturday, they may not attend the following day. In all cases, the total period of part-time volunteering should not exceed __ months.
c. Full-time volunteers (local university graduates only):
Full-time volunteering is defined as volunteering for 8 hours per work day, 5 work days per week, either not for compensation or for compensation as determined by the Museum at its sole discretion and without legal obligation on its behalf. If the volunteer is present on a Friday or a Saturday, they may not attend the following day. In all cases, the total period of full-time volunteering should not exceed __ months.
d. Hourly volunteers (local university graduates only):
Hourly volunteering is defined as volunteering for less than 20 hours per week (80 hours a month), either not for compensation or for compensation as determined by the Museum at its sole discretion and without legal obligation on its behalf. In all cases, the hourly volunteer period should not exceed __ weeks.
e. International volunteers:
International volunteers are defined as those who live outside Palestine and are willing to volunteer for a period ranging from 1 to 3 months, provided that the number of volunteer hours reaches 4 hours per day, 5 days a week, either not for compensation or for compensation as determined by the Museum at its sole discretion and without legal obligation on its behalf.
f. In all cases, volunteers must coordinate in advance with the Palestinian Museum administration in case they are unable to attend for any reason whatsoever so that the administration can make the necessary arrangements to bring in other volunteers.
g. In the case of the Museum hosting any events or exhibitions, all volunteers are expected to be available during these events, whether or not they fall between their typical volunteering days or hours.
1.5 Volunteers must abide by all policies and instructions of the Palestinian Museum and its internal regulations.
1.6 The relationship between volunteers and the Palestinian Museum does not create a legally binding contract or a relationship of employment between the Museum and the volunteer. Volunteers are not considered employees of the Palestinian Museum and are not subject to the applicable Palestinian labour law and/or any other labour laws anywhere else in the world. The volunteer contract signed between the Palestinian Museum and the volunteers does not entail any promise of employment with the Museum and/or any other party. All volunteers are not, without exception, agents or representatives of the Museum and they do not have the right to speak on the Museum’s behalf, interview any third party, or disclose any information about the Museum to any form of media without the prior written consent of the Museum.
1.7 The Museum or the volunteer is entitled to terminate the volunteering relationship without cause at any point and without either party being subject to any legal liability.
2. Joining the Volunteer Programme
2.1 The Palestinian Museum through its official website provides volunteering opportunities on an ongoing basis. For its part, the Museum will select the most suitable persons among volunteer applicants and invite them to an interview to determine each of their qualifications. The Museum’s decision on the suitability of a volunteer applicant is absolute and final.
2.2 All volunteers are required to submit a volunteer application with the Palestinian Museum before the start of their volunteering duration being in effect and to do so using the form prepared in advance for this purpose.
2.3 Volunteers from outside Palestine must ensure that they have a valid visa that allows them to stay in Palestine for the duration of their volunteering. The Palestinian Museum shall not be responsible for providing visas for international volunteers and/or communicating with any party in this regard in the event of their visa’s expiry, nor shall the Museum be responsible in any way whatsoever for covering the costs of visas and/or the cost of travel and/or accommodation in Palestine.
2.4 Volunteer opportunities are open to those 18 years and older.
3. Training
3.1 Volunteers will receive training commensurate with their volunteer role under the supervision of the director of the department for which they will volunteer. Training will include a summary of the role expected of them, the expected duration of volunteering, as well as details of any space or equipment provision necessary to their role and relevant health and safety information.
4. Confidentiality
4.1 Volunteers must uphold the name and reputation of the Palestinian Museum to the public and undertake and be committed to maintaining the confidentiality of all information they contend with or have access to during the duration of their volunteering under penalty of liability.
3. Presence in the Museum building during the agreed-upon days and times.
- Safeguarding the Museum’s property and assets.
- The Museum is entitled to terminate the volunteer contract at any time and without any legal obligations thereof.
The Museum is not obligated to accept this application and it is entitled to do so without justifying the reasons.